Traffic accident statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that of the approximately 6.5 million traffic accidents that occurred in 2018, an estimated 400,000 involved some form of driver distraction.
Distracted driving accidents claimed the lives of close to 3,000 people that year. Distracted driving is a public health issue of growing concern. Driver negligence in all its forms—from drunk driving and speeding to texting and reckless driving–can lead to civil or criminal penalties.
If you were injured or suffered property damage in a distracted driving accident, we may be able to help. Based on the specifics of your case, a South Fulton distracted driving accident lawyer at Bader Law Injury Lawyers may be able to investigate your vehicle accident.
We may also be able to assist you in understanding relevant laws, gathering evidence, and filing a claim for compensable damages from the at-fault parties responsible for the accident. To learn more, please contact our South Fulton car accident lawyers.
Road Rules on Distracted Driving
§ 40-6-241.2 of the 2018 Georgia Code prohibits a driver from writing, sending, and reading text-based communications while operating a motor vehicle. A failure to comply with this law can result in a fine and a misdemeanor charge.
However, electronic device use—usually some form of texting and driving, or the use of a cellphone while behind the wheel—is not the only form of driver distraction. Eating, drinking, interacting with other passengers, and applying makeup while driving can all cause an accident.
The same applies to reading or sending email communications, adjusting your vehicle’s controls or devices, watching videos, and searching for music while driving.
Texting and driving is perhaps the most serious type of driver distraction, because it involves mental and visual distractions. It can increase a driver’s response times, as well as cause physical distraction if a driver removes his or her hands from the wheel. This can cause a vehicle to stray into another lane or lead to an overcorrection.
For a free legal consultation with a distracted driving accidents lawyer serving South Fulton, call (404) 888-8888
Evidence for Distracted Driving Accidents
A distracted driver can cause or be involved in any type of accident. Frontal and rear-end collisions, rollovers, sideswipes, unsafe merging accidents, and head-on collisions can all be caused by a moment’s distraction. Truck, motorcycle, and pedestrian accidents can also result from driver distraction, and many of these accidents either cause significant property damage, fatalities to passengers or pedestrians, or both.
Distracted driving may be proven using various forms of evidence, including:
- Eyewitness testimony.
- An official police report.
- Video or photo evidence from the accident scene.
- Cell phone, social media, or text message proof.
Other types of evidence, such as skid marks, property damage, and the direction of an impact, can also be used to ascertain how an accident occurred. For example, rear-end crashes without skid marks may indicate that a driver was not looking at the road ahead when an accident occurred. Roadside property damage may suggest that a driver was late to notice a road hazard and veered to one side or the other to avoid a frontal impact. This can also indicate distracted driving.
A South Fulton distracted driving accident lawyer may be able to assist you in identifying the different forms of evidence needed to prove your claims. Reach out to Bader Law Injury Lawyers today to learn more.
South Fulton Distracted Driving Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Injuries and Recovery of Damages
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that distracted driving accidents kill almost 10 people on U.S. roadways every single day, and injure over 1,000 more. These accidents can seriously harm the financial stability of a family, especially accidents that cause a fatality or injuries that prevent an individual from working in a gainfully employed capacity.
Injuries commonly seen in distracted driver accidents include:
- Injury to the head, neck, or spinal cord.
- Bone injuries.
- Stretched, torn, or bruised nerves, muscles, or tendons.
- Internal bleeding and organ damage.
- Amputations.
- Eye and mouth injuries.
- Scarring, disfigurement, and burns.
After an accident, you may be out of work for some time, or you may be unable to care for a loved one or provide other forms of support to your immediate family. If your injuries or other accident-related losses were caused by another party’s distracted driving, you may have grounds for a personal injury suit against them.
Accidents, damages, injuries, and fatalities caused by such accidents are typically classified as preventable. When a distracted driver causes damages, harm, or other losses to other drivers, he or she can be held liable for those losses. Damages that are usually compensable in distracted driving cases are as follows:
- Medical costs, including treatment, medicine, surgery, therapy, and assistive device costs, as well as doctor’s visits and transportation costs
- Lost income up to predefined limits
- Pain, suffering, trauma, and mental anguish costs
- The costs of vehicle repair and property damage
- Incidental costs such as car rental expenses or caregiver fees
- Burial and/or funeral expenses for cases involving a fatality
Based on the type of insurance coverage that you and any drivers responsible for the accident have, some or all of these costs may be covered. An attorney may be able to help you determine which damages are compensable, which are not, and what kinds of proof may be needed to file a claim for recovery.
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Finding Legal Guidance
The law can be complex, especially when it comes to cases that involve personal injuries, financial losses, and potentially criminal behavior by an at-fault driver. Filing a claim against another party while you try to recover from your injuries can be a daunting task. An attorney may be able to assist you in this difficult time.
Please seek out a South Fulton distracted driving accident lawyer with the Bader Law Injury Lawyers team today. Statutes of limitation apply to civil cases such as vehicle accidents, so do not hesitate to contact us for a consultation and case evaluation.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
